Man with assistance dog told he could not go on hiking retreat

April 2022

Sam* has a psychological condition and has a government-accredited assistance dog. He applied to go on a hiking retreat but was told by the tourism operator that he could not take his assistance dog.

Sam lodged a complaint of disability discrimination with ADNSW.

ADNSW discussed the complaint with the tourism operator who then sought legal advice. They later provided a written apology to Sam for refusing him a place on the trip. 

Sam accepted the apology. He thanked the tourism operator for using his complaint as an opportunity to educate themselves on the law regarding public access rights for assistance dogs to accompany their handler. This resolved the complaint at an early stage of ADNSW’s process.

*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual 

Last updated:

10 Aug 2022

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We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the ongoing connection Aboriginal people have to this land and recognise Aboriginal people as the original custodians of this land.

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